Inexpensive way to do wainscoting

MelissaBielawskiUpdated November 21, 2016

Wainscoting, panelling which covers the lower portion of a wall, is an ideal way to immediately transform the appearance of an ordinary room. Professional installation of wainscoting is typically quite expensive. An inexpensive way to add wainscoting is to purchase a pre-manufactured wainscoting kit that has a customised interlocking beadboard system for the panels. This type of wainscoting has pre-cut angles and sizes for easy installation. Eliminating the cost of labour on your installation is a true money-saving tactic.

Measure the room's length, height and door and window height. Use the measurements to purchase a pre-fabricated wainscoting kit.

Lay all of the stiles and panels against the wall to determine the proper layout. Mark any electrical sockets, and use a jigsaw to cut around the marked area.

Remove the old baseboard. Use a mitre saw to cut the pre-notched baseboard to the correct size. Slide the bottom rail into one corner of the wall, and attach the new baseboard to the wall using finish nails. Employ 45-degree angles to interlock the remaining baseboards.

Start from the centre of the room, and attach the wainscoting panels to the wall, working towards each corner of the wall. Apply a small amount of wood adhesive on the back of each panel, and slide the panel into the notches in the back of the baseboard. Cut the wall panels to the correct width to fit at the corners using a table saw.

Set the chair rail into position resting on top of the panels, and apply a small amount of glue to the back. Nail the rail into position.

Paint the wainscoting with a primer. Let it dry, and then lightly sand the wood. Use a latex-based paint to finish the job.

Tip

Allow the wainscoting kit to sit in the room for 48 hours prior to installation so the wood can acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the room. When installing the baseboard, make sure it is level from end to end. This will ensure that the remainder of the system is also level.